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Flagler deputy involved in fatal crash

Florida Highway Patrol troopers investigate a fatal crash Wednesday morning involving Flagler County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Lee Crego. Crego was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach with lacerations to his head and face, according to the FHP. The 64-year-old driver of the van he hit was pronounced dead at the scene.

News-Journal / Julie Murphy

JULIE MURPHYSTAFF WRITERT

Published: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 7:41 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 10:41 p.m.

A 64-year-old Palm Coast man was killed Wednesday after his van was hit from behind by a Flagler County sheriff's deputy responding to an emergency call, according to a Florida Highway Patrol sergeant.

Deputy Christopher Lee Crego, 31, was westbound on State Road 100 at 6:38 a.m. Wednesday with his lights and sirens on in response to a report of another crash when he hit a Chevy van driven by Eduardo Luis Pacheco near the intersection of West Black Point Road. Pacheco also was driving west at the time of the crash, said FHP Sgt. Dylan Bryan.

“We are trying to determine if the van just stopped in the middle of the road or if he was trying to yield to the emergency vehicle,” Bryan said.

Crego was taken to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach with lacerations to his head and face, Bryan said.

Surgery for the deputy was scheduled later Wednesday, according to Flagler County sheriff's spokesman Lt. Bob Weber.

A Flagler County school bus that was traveling east on S.R. 100 at the time of the crash was hit with debris but no one on board was injured. The driver of the special needs bus, an aide, and one 15-year-old student were on their way to Indian Trails Middle School, according to the FHP.

The student's family was notified and the girl met with counselors upon arriving at school, Bryan said Wednesday from the scene.

The crash remains under investigation and the FHP is reviewing video taken inside the school bus to see if there's anything that might help explain the crash, Bryan said.

The impact of the collision sent debris flying. Nails, a circular saw, ladders and other tools were strewn across the road, shoulders and adjacent grassy areas.

Pacheco, according to Florida's Division of Corporations, is vice president of Builders Enterprises Inc. in Palm Coast. Cars were parked in the driveway of his home Wednesday but no one answered the door at the pink stucco house guarded by two lion statues at the base of the driveway.

Neighbor Deborah Portee said she didn't know Pacheco except to wave hello. She said he has lived in the P-section for at least four years.

“It's so heartbreaking. Tragic,” she said. “He was just doing what he normally did, and this happened. It's horrible to think that you can leave your house to do what you do and not make it back home.”

Crego, who Weber said is in stable condition, has worked for the Sheriff's Office for a 18 months. During his time with the Flagler Sheriff's Office, Crego reported vehicle damage once before, Weber said.

“It was a case where he was transporting a prisoner who damaged the interior of his patrol car,” he said. “Other than that there are no disciplinary issues in his Internal Affairs file.”

Weber said there is no specific Flagler County Sheriff's Office policy regarding how fast deputies are to drive when responding to an emergency call.

The Sheriff's Office will likely wait for FHP to complete its investigation before any decision is made regarding whether Crego will face any disciplinary action, he said.

Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation, according to an FHP report released Wednesday.

Flagler Sheriff Jim Manfre sent out condolences in a written statement.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the driver of the other vehicle and our deputy," Manfre said. "We wish deputy Crego a speedy recovery."

<p>A 64-year-old Palm Coast man was killed Wednesday after his van was hit from behind by a Flagler County sheriff's deputy responding to an emergency call, according to a Florida Highway Patrol sergeant.</p><p>Deputy Christopher Lee Crego, 31, was westbound on State Road 100 at 6:38 a.m. Wednesday with his lights and sirens on in response to a report of another crash when he hit a Chevy van driven by Eduardo Luis Pacheco near the intersection of West Black Point Road. Pacheco also was driving west at the time of the crash, said FHP Sgt. Dylan Bryan.</p><p>“We are trying to determine if the van just stopped in the middle of the road or if he was trying to yield to the emergency vehicle,” Bryan said. </p><p>Crego was taken to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach with lacerations to his head and face, Bryan said.</p><p>Surgery for the deputy was scheduled later Wednesday, according to Flagler County sheriff's spokesman Lt. Bob Weber. </p><p>A Flagler County school bus that was traveling east on S.R. 100 at the time of the crash was hit with debris but no one on board was injured. The driver of the special needs bus, an aide, and one 15-year-old student were on their way to Indian Trails Middle School, according to the FHP.</p><p>The student's family was notified and the girl met with counselors upon arriving at school, Bryan said Wednesday from the scene.</p><p>The crash remains under investigation and the FHP is reviewing video taken inside the school bus to see if there's anything that might help explain the crash, Bryan said.</p><p>The impact of the collision sent debris flying. Nails, a circular saw, ladders and other tools were strewn across the road, shoulders and adjacent grassy areas.</p><p>Pacheco, according to Florida's Division of Corporations, is vice president of Builders Enterprises Inc. in Palm Coast. Cars were parked in the driveway of his home Wednesday but no one answered the door at the pink stucco house guarded by two lion statues at the base of the driveway.</p><p>Neighbor Deborah Portee said she didn't know Pacheco except to wave hello. She said he has lived in the P-section for at least four years.</p><p>“It's so heartbreaking. Tragic,” she said. “He was just doing what he normally did, and this happened. It's horrible to think that you can leave your house to do what you do and not make it back home.”</p><p>Crego, who Weber said is in stable condition, has worked for the Sheriff's Office for a 18 months. During his time with the Flagler Sheriff's Office, Crego reported vehicle damage once before, Weber said.</p><p>“It was a case where he was transporting a prisoner who damaged the interior of his patrol car,” he said. “Other than that there are no disciplinary issues in his Internal Affairs file.”</p><p>Weber said there is no specific Flagler County Sheriff's Office policy regarding how fast deputies are to drive when responding to an emergency call. </p><p>The Sheriff's Office will likely wait for FHP to complete its investigation before any decision is made regarding whether Crego will face any disciplinary action, he said. </p><p>Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation, according to an FHP report released Wednesday.</p><p>Flagler Sheriff Jim Manfre sent out condolences in a written statement. </p><p>"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the driver of the other vehicle and our deputy," Manfre said. "We wish deputy Crego a speedy recovery."</p>